treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
1. If so we need to build a list.
2. By there speciality, like SSD or Lack of treatment wont treat anymore?
3. By States.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
we did have a new lawyer, DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWYER, join us 2 days ago! I sent my/your newbie links, and also asked what their specialty was: SSDI, SSI, LTD, workers comp, etc. They have NOT replied!
We also have OTHER lawyer members; don't know their specialty.
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
I am not an attorney, but am a practicing disability advocate. I became interested in it after having to fight the system myself. I am a member of a nationwide network of disability advocates called Disability Advocates of America.
Advocates, unlike most attorneys, will take SS cases from the very beginning, at the initial level. Some even file the initial application for the claimant.
Advocates work hard on cases at the initial and recon levels to try to win as soon as possible. For example, my last 10 wins, only one has been at hearing level. The rest were initial or recon.
Not to say quite a few cases go to hearing ..... it is simply unavoidable in many cases, as I have 20 on the hearing list right now. However, if possible, advocates can try to find reasons to expedite hearings by filing on-the-record requests or filing for expedited hearings due to certain critical case issues.
Our website is www.disability-advocate.com. I received all my training through them and they are always there when I need them for advice and development of strategies.
Since I used to work for the other side, as a rehabilitation consultant for LTD and insurance companies, I realized I could never go back to that. Nothing like having to navigate the system yourself to see just how bad LTD and SS can be.
I have worked or are working a total of about 10 Lyme claims. So far, won one at initial level, one at reconsideration, and another by on-the-record at hearing level.
The wait for hearing here in my state is about 1 1/2 years right now. So in my state if a claim starts today and ends up all the way at hearing, the claimant might not even get their day in front of the judge for 2 1/2 years or so. Insane, considering these people are sick. But that is the current system.
We will forwarding a claim in to an atty once all our appeal options are exhausted. An advocate can take a case all the way through the Appeals Council to dispute an ALJ decision.
If anyone needs help from an advocate, contact our network at www.disability-advocate.com and someone will get back to you.
[ 19. November 2006, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: ConnieMc ]
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
In Iowa, it was 2.5 years before my ALJ, admin law judge hearing also for BOTH claims!
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posted
This is a very timely thread for me as I'm having lots of trouble with a governmental agency. (I don't know if we have any rules about stating agency names so I will be cryptic.)
I'm going to add a brief rundown of my story and hope that it may generate some information. For three years, I have been trying to get my student loan discharged due to permanent and total disability. I was awarded Social Security disability three years ago by a federal judge. The State of Illinois Motor Vehicles consider me disabled, the only ones who don't are the ones holding the student loan.
A person is entitled to the discharge of the loan in the event of total and permanent disability. This agency refuses to acknowledge that I am disabled. They have denied my case twice already.
The problem isn't as much the time required by my physicians, my SS attorney, my US Senator and my US Representative but they keep adding finance and administrative costs so that the loan has now doubled! And they call my house 1-2 times daily threatening me.
I will contact the disability advocates to see if they can help. I'm wondering if this is a more efficient method than an disability attorney which I obviously can't afford.
Any suggestions welcome and Happy Thanksgiving!
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
quote:Originally posted by chroniccosmic: This is a very timely thread for me as I'm having lots of trouble with a governmental agency. (I don't know if we have any rules about stating agency names so I will be cryptic.)
I'm going to add a brief rundown of my story and hope that it may generate some information. For three years, I have been trying to get my student loan discharged due to permanent and total disability. I was awarded Social Security disability three years ago by a federal judge. The State of Illinois Motor Vehicles consider me disabled, the only ones who don't are the ones holding the student loan.
A person is entitled to the discharge of the loan in the event of total and permanent disability. This agency refuses to acknowledge that I am disabled. They have denied my case twice already.
The problem isn't as much the time required by my physicians, my SS attorney, my US Senator and my US Representative but they keep adding finance and administrative costs so that the loan has now doubled! And they call my house 1-2 times daily threatening me.
I will contact the disability advocates to see if they can help. I'm wondering if this is a more efficient method than an disability attorney which I obviously can't afford.
Any suggestions welcome and Happy Thanksgiving!
Cosmic, those student loan companies are as bad as LTD carriers. They have their own rules of disability and do not follow any rulings of SSA. I know of another who was also awarded SS disability, but the student loan people did not acknowledge her disability. She hired an atty and LOST. Not only did she have to pay all the atty fees, but the fees, interest, etc on the loan continue upward. You need an atty for this, not an advocate. Make sure you check out any potential atty very carefully. I feel my friend got taken for a ride.
But warning you ... these people pull out all the stops ... schedule IMEs just like LTD companies, surveilance by PIs, etc. So be careful.
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Things work in mysterious ways! I was on line this morning trying to find a lawyer b/c I am having trouble with my insurance company!THANK YOU! Posts: 240 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2006
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
lioness~ regarding your insurance company, please do a search here at lymenet with the words "insurance appeal" and my (timaca's) member number...in the section of general support. You should come up with several threads on insurance companies which may help you.
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
It took nearly a decade of civil suite but I got my impounded taxes back. I was able to prove I didn't get what I paid for and couldn't use it.
The USDOE has a form that discharges debt for disability it needs to be signed by a Doctor and a Judge. They really don't want you to know about it either. If I still have it I'll scan it.
I'm on the 3rd filing for disability.
quote:Originally posted by chroniccosmic: This is a very timely thread for me as I'm having lots of trouble with a governmental agency. (I don't know if we have any rules about stating agency names so I will be cryptic.)
I'm going to add a brief rundown of my story and hope that it may generate some information. For three years, I have been trying to get my student loan discharged due to permanent and total disability. I was awarded Social Security disability three years ago by a federal judge. The State of Illinois Motor Vehicles consider me disabled, the only ones who don't are the ones holding the student loan.
A person is entitled to the discharge of the loan in the event of total and permanent disability. This agency refuses to acknowledge that I am disabled. They have denied my case twice already.
The problem isn't as much the time required by my physicians, my SS attorney, my US Senator and my US Representative but they keep adding finance and administrative costs so that the loan has now doubled! And they call my house 1-2 times daily threatening me.
I will contact the disability advocates to see if they can help. I'm wondering if this is a more efficient method than an disability attorney which I obviously can't afford.
Any suggestions welcome and Happy Thanksgiving!
Posts: 1 | From WV | Registered: Dec 2006
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
My hubby is a lawyer, but his speciality is matrimonial. He really fights for custody rights of parents who are sick. Unfortunately he understands everything about lyme due to my illness. I will check with him to see what is going on with SSI and SSD in NY in regards to lyme disease.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
quote:Originally posted by treepatrol: 1. If so we need to build a list.
2. By there speciality, like SSD or Lack of treatment wont treat anymore?
3. By States.
1. If so we need to build a list.
2. By there speciality, like SSD or Lack of treatment wont treat anymore?
3. By States.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
1 thing connie mc didn't mention was the advocates like herself/others can NOT represent you in FEDERAL/CIVIL COURT if appeals council denies you.
connie, do you know how much substance; i can't think of the word i really want here ... so help me out when you read this ok! lyme brain!
do advocates work WEIGH HEAVILY WHEN APPEALS COUNCIL FINALLY LOOKS AT OUR CLAIMS THERE?
example, when mine was there; had to be at appeals council level for 2.5 years BEFORE even being looked at!
then they saw my lawyer withdrew/QUIT ME, so they did NOT have to review my ENTIRE FILE; only what the ALJ determined in his NON-APPROVAL, and said he did everything right there that was required of him.
please inform us all more on this angle!
connie, you also then be awarded 25% up to $5300 too? is that correct even if you win at 1st or 2nd level WITHOUT ALJ HEARING? thanks.
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